MK Community Choirs' Festival: Celebrating Music and Culture
Who are Milton Keynes Community Choir and what do they do?
Milton Keynes Community Choir, founded in 2008, has grown into a vibrant and inclusive group with around 100 members. Open to all, without auditions, the choir has a huge repertoire, ranging from modern and contemporary pieces to classical, gospel, soul, folk, and World music. Their primary focus is on singing for fun, building friendships, and raising funds for charities, particularly local ones such as MK Hospital and Keech Hospice Care.
They host Christmas concerts, summer festivals, workshops with guest leaders, and run an annual choir festival. They also perform at mayoral inaugurations and other events, continually emphasising their strong community spirit and dedication to charitable causes.
What support did Milton Keynes Community Choir need?
Milton Keynes Community Choir needed support to organise and run their annual festival. Financial stability was a major concern, as in previous years the costs associated with hosting the event had put the choir under financial strain.
Additionally, the festival needed resources to ensure all choirs taking part could attend without incurring any costs, important for many community choirs. The choir also needed funds to cover operational costs such as additional toilet facilities, rubbish disposal, and sound and electrical specialists.
What difference did the grant make?
The £3,000 Small Grant from MK Community Foundation had a substantial impact on Milton Keynes Community Choir and the success of their festival. The grant ensured that no choir had to pay to participate, and it also covered all operational costs, eliminating the financial jeopardy the choir had faced in previous years.
With these expenses taken care of, the festival could remain free for audience members, meaning there were no barriers to attend. This inclusivity allowed local people to freely enjoy a wide variety of music, potentially even inspiring them to join a local choir. Despite cold weather, the festival was a success, drawing many supporters and providing a positive community experience.
Choir Participant
“This festival is so important to showcase the best that MK has when it comes to singing in choral groups. It really supports good mental wellbeing.”
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About the author
MK Community Foundation